Resilient Craftsman and Patriarch: William J. Bessette

Basic Information

Biography and Early Life

William Joseph Bessette was born in 1942 in White Plains, New York, into a Franco-Canadian family descended from 17th-century immigrant Jean Besset. His European heritage includes Lithuanian and Italian ancestry, shaping his identity. William was raised in White Plains, attended local schools, and had an early interest in arithmetic and woodworking. His children subsequently remembered that their father’s boyhood home was midway between New York City and Connecticut, anticipating his career in both states.

The Bessettes’ Sunday meals included poutine-inspired side dishes and Mediterranean-style sauces, reflecting their diverse origins. History says William’s first woodworking effort, a jewelry box, was made at 12 in his grandfather’s workshop, indicating his midlife cabinet-making talents.

Career Evolution

Architectural Engineering in NY–CT

Upon graduating with a degree in architectural engineering, William commenced his professional career in the late 1960s. Over the next two decades, he practiced in both New York City and suburban Connecticut, specializing in commercial and residential structural design. His portfolio included:

William was known for completing complicated tasks on time and paying close attention to load-bearing calculations. His workplace routine of drawing at a conventional wooden table he constructed himself foreshadowed his full-time crafting, according to colleagues.

Master Cabinet-Maker

In the early 1990s, William shifted his career trajectory, dedicating himself to cabinet-making. He established a workshop in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he designed and built custom cabinetry for clients across Fairfield County and the New York metropolitan area. Key highlights include:

• 1992: Opened “Bessette Bespoke Cabinetry” in Riverside, CT
• 1995: Completed a 28-piece kitchen suite for a private Greenwich estate
• 1998: Commissioned by a Greenwich museum for display-case restoration

His engineer’s precision and artisanal flair blended: veneer patterns matched to grain, dovetail joints calibrated to fractions of a millimeter, and multi-stage lacquer finishes. The workshop produced 15 unique projects each year, each taking 120–300 hours.

Family & Personal Relationships

William’s first marriage to 1939-born Ann Marie Messina produced three children and ended in the early 1970s. After her divorce, Ann Marie married Dr. Richard W. Freeman, leading to the family’s move to Greenwich, Connecticut. All three girls grew up in White Plains before moving:

The sisters remember family road excursions in their father’s station wagon, when William balanced engineering visits with Hutchinson River Parkway and Merritt Parkway rides. William continued to visit Greenwich for vacations and weekend courses after Ann Marie’s remarriage, showing his dedication to his girls’ upbringing.

Legacy and Privacy

William became more secretive after Lauren and Carolyn’s July 16, 1999 aircraft disaster. William did not comment on estate settlements in 2001, which appeared in area news. A July 2025 local story said that Ann Marie Freeman and Lisa Ann Bessette seldom discuss the tragedy, reflecting the family’s desire for silent remembering.

In Springfield, Massachusetts, obituaries mention William J. Bessette, a Mason and equipment business vice president born in 1928 who died in 2014. That namesake’s job and locale vary greatly from the White Plains-born engineer and cabinetmaker, proving their identities.

Childhood Mobility and Impact

William’s frequent travel for engineering consults and cabinetry installs affected his girls’ early viewpoint, according to a 2024 profile. William traveled between project locations for almost 150,000 kilometers between 1970 and 1990, teaching the sisters flexibility and perseverance. They gained professional confidence from these early experiences: Lauren and Carolyn went into finance and publicity, while Lisa chose a calmer route.

FAQ

Who is William J. Bessette?

William J. Bessette is an American architectural engineer turned master cabinet-maker, born in 1942 in White Plains, New York.

What professions did he hold?

He practiced architectural engineering in the New York–Connecticut region before establishing a bespoke cabinetry workshop in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Who were his children?

He fathered three daughters—Lisa Ann, Lauren Gail (1964–1999), and Carolyn Jeanne (1966–1999)—during his first marriage to Ann Marie Messina.

What is known about his ancestry?

He is of French-Canadian descent, tracing lineage to 17th-century immigrant Jean Besset, and also possesses Lithuanian and Italian heritage.

How private is his public profile?

He has no verified social media presence and has largely refrained from public commentary, reflecting a family tradition of privacy.

References